Ashes to thrashes: Australia claim urn as England are thrashed
Geoffrey Boycott today questioned team director Andy Flower's commitment as England's flops surrendered the Ashes.
The tourists slumped to their latest embarrassment today – losing by 150 runs in Perth, just after lunch, as Australia regained the urn.
The Aussies now have an unassailable 3-0 lead going into the Boxing Day Test in?Melbourne after this comprehensive defeat.
And it was difficult to argue with the former England opener as he laid into Alastair Cook's men, their approach and the coaching set-up as they hurtle towards a 5-0 whitewash.
Boycott said: "The planning and the prep of the team – it's all gone haywire. In all areas they have been better than us. They have had good plans and executed them really well while we've cocked it up big time."
Boycott was particularly critical of England's coaching staff and has demanded Flower leave his position if he is not up to the challenge of leading the side any more.
Flower asked for time off in recent months as he handed over the one-day responsibilities to Ashley Giles.
"Some of our coaching staff should have a serious look at themselves because we are on the down and Australia are on the up," added Boycott, who scored 8,114 runs in 108 Tests for England.
"We should be thinking and planning for 2015. Is our coach up to it? The top people have to decide – Andy Flower, are you going to be here next year? Are you staying or going? If you've had enough, go now.
"We have to be up for the challenge – we have to have the balls to do something."
Reflecting upon a miserable series where England have failed with the bat and ball, while selection and attitude have also been questioned, captain?Cook had no complaints.
He said: "We've been outskilled in all aspects. It's hard to say that as a player but that's the honest truth. We've got to keep looking at ourselves, keep doing what we can do which is work as hard as we can to turn things around."
Cook insisted his side had not been taken by surprise by Australia.
"We knew what a good side they were in England," he said. "Any side coming to Australia, you have to be at the top of your game to compete. We haven't been there. They've been ruthless – ruthless in never letting us back in any game when they got ahead of us.
"But there's a lot of talent in the dressing room. Everyone's hurting now, it's an incredibly tough place to be. That happens in sport – there's a winner and a loser and at the moment we're in the losing dressing room and it hurts."
Ben Stokes provided the only glimmer of hope today, hitting 120 in England's 353 all out but, in truth, Cook's men were never likely to get near the 504 victory target.
And Aussie skipper Michael Clarke was delighted with his side after three consecutive Ashes defeats in recent times.
"What an amazing performance, not just throughout this Test match but over the first three Test matches," he said.
"I think the boys deserve all the credit in the world for the work they've put in over a long period of time. It's a fantastic feeling.
"We've copped a little bit of criticism through the media and at times have deserved that. That's why I say credit to the players: the way they've stood tall has been outstanding."
